Bursting onto the scene in 1975, Saturday Night Live was a near-overnight hit. Featuring the so-called “Not Ready For Primetime Players,” Saturday Night Live (or SNL, as it would come to be known) launched the careers of Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, and Gilda Radner, among others. Over the years, Lorne Michaels’ show has seen countless comedic stars pass through the doors of Studio 8H at 30 Rock in New York City en route to bigger stardom.
Over its nearly 45 year run, one of the consistent staples of SNL has been their Christmas sketches. The best of these have become as much a part of pop culture as Star Wars or Seinfeld thanks to yearly holiday specials and the internet. Here is our look at the best of the best, Saturday Night Live’s 10 Best Christmas Sketches.
10 (Do It On My) Twin Bed
Done in the style of The Pussycat Dolls, this ode to awkward amorous activity while visiting your childhood home hit a little too close to home for many. Featuring Aidy Bryant, Kate McKinnon, and Cecily Strong, this 2013 music video (the most recent sketch on the list) tells the tale of when a holiday visit to your parents’ house turns a little frisky.
Add in a rap breakdown by Jimmy Fallon as the uncomfortable boyfriend and you have yourself a nice little holiday classic. “If you want an old cat to watch you bone, then you’re gonna want to get down in my parents’ home.”
9 Schweddy Balls
This 1998 sketch showcasing NPR hosts Terry Rialto (Molly Shannon) and Margaret Jo McCullin (Ana Gasteyer) is a master class in double entendres. Baker Pete Schweddy (Alec Baldwin) of Season’s Eatings comes on to their program to introduce the two women to his favorite Christmas treat, his Schweddy Balls.
The sketch is done completely deadpan and how the three manage to keep a straight face throughout is nothing short of amazing. Listing off his favorite holiday desserts, Schweddy declares, “The thing that I most like to bring out at this time of year are my balls.” Brilliant!
8 Steve Martin’s Holiday Wish
Many people mistakenly believe that actor/comedian Steve Martin was a member of the SNL cast during the Golden Age of the series (1975-1980). He wasn’t, but it is a completely understandable mistake. Martin hosted so often during that period (eight times!) that he even had several recurring characters.
Martin also starred in a terrifically tongue-in-cheek Christmas sketch which starts well-meaning enough, with Martin wishing for peace for children or some crap, before progressively becoming more and more self-serving (money, power, revenge, and 31-day orgasms). Classic Steve Martin.
7 Glengarry Glen Christmas
“Cocoa is for cobbler’s only.” Before he became known for his Donald Trump impersonation, multiple-time host and guest Alec Baldwin might best be remembered for this sketch. In this 2005 spoof of Baldwin’s speech in Glengarry Glen Ross, Baldwin plays Winter’s Breath, a stern, no-nonsense elf who arrives at Santa’s workshop to motivate Santa’s workers, played by Seth Meyers, Rachel Dratch, and Amy Poehler.
“The good news is you’re fired.” The best moment comes when Baldwin flubs his lines during his “Always Be Cobbling” speech, nearly causing himself and Meyers to break character. “Good father? Elf you! Go home and play with your kids.”
6 Consumer Probe
In this classic 1976 Season 2 sketch, the host of “Consumer Probe,” played by Candice Bergen, introduces us to Irwin Mainway, played by Dan Aykroyd, president of Mainway Toys. She calls Mainway out for manufacturing some questionable products, such as Mr. Skin Grafter and Doggy Dentist.
Mainway defends one of the products, Johnny Switchblade Adventure Punk, with real blades that pop out of his arms, by rationalizing “So Barbie takes a knife once in a while, or Ken gets cut? I mean, there’s no harm in it, as far as I can see.” And let’s not forget Bag O’ Glass and it’s companions Bag O’ Vipers and Bag O’ Sulfuric Acid.
5 Mr. Robinson’s Neighborhood: Christmas
Arguably the biggest star to come out of SNL was Eddie Murphy. Starting on the show when he was only 19 years old, Murphy would create a number of unforgettable characters during his four-year run. From Gumby and Buckwheat to Velvet Jones, Murphy blazed a trail so bright, he was an A-list star by the time he left the show.
Perhaps his most memorable character was his urban take on Mr. Rogers, Mr. Robinson. In this Christmas edition of “Mister Robinson’s Neighborhood,” Robinson explains with a smile what the season of giving is like in the hood. “Look what Mr. Landlord gave me? An eviction notice.”
4 Hanukkah Song
One of the biggest stars to come out of Saturday Night Live, Adam Sandler had a slew of memorable skits during his time on the show. But he never was featured in a signature Christmas sketch. He DID, however, help write one of the greatest (and funniest) Hanukkah songs in which we learn David Lee Roth lights the Menorah and all Three Stooges are Jewish.
The song, which Sandler performed on Weekend Update, would go on to be released and then remade with new lyrics on some of Sandler’s comedy albums.
3 I Wish It Was Christmas Today
“I don’t care what your mama says, Christmas time is heeeere.” With those words, Horatio Sanz kicked off the timeless holiday classic song “I Wish It Was Christmas Today” in season 26. Along with Chris Kattan, Tracy Morgan’s incredible dancing, and Jimmy Fallon doing Jimmy Fallon things, Sanz created an earworm that will be rattling inside of your brain for days to come.
“I don’t care about the CIA, I don’t care what the calendars say, I wish it was Christmas todaaay!”
2 Christmastime For The Jews
Debuting in 2005, this 60s-era, Phil Spector-esque tune is sung by one of his frequent collaborators, Darlene Love (you may know her from the holiday favorite “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”). The TV Funhouse short is done in the claymation style of classic Christmas specials like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman.
The animated sketch is probably best remembered for some of the hilarious lines describing how Jewish folk are able to take advantage of the Christmas holiday. “The streets are deserted and that’s big news. It’s Christmastime for the Jews!”
1 D*** In A Box
Premiering in 2006, this SNL Digital Short became an immediate sensation. The debut single from Andy Samberg’s comedy trio Loney Island, the tune featured Justin Timberlake on vocals alongside Samberg. Sang in the style of '90s R&B, the music video depicted the two in era-appropriate attire impressing their women (played by Maya Rudolph and Kristen Wiig) with some unusual holiday presents, strategically placed on their, um, well you know.
The viral hit would go on to win an Emmy for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics. “1. Cut a hole in a box. 2: Put your junk in that box. 3. Make her open the box. And that’s the way you do it. It’s my d*** in a box!”
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